April 18, 2012 Meeting Minutes

Page 1

Region VI Mental Health Board

Meeting Minutes

Date of Meeting:April 18, 2012

Present:Mike Stayner, Ritchie Weers, John Hathaway, Becky Carrier, Deric Ravsten, Barry Jones,Zina Magee, Amy Cunningham,Charlie Aasand, Carl Glover, Kent Hobbs, Sue Chadwick

Absent:Howard Manwaring, Linda Hatzenbuehler, John Conner, Tracey Sessions and JoAnn Martinez,

Guests:Scottie Brownley and Ross Edmunds (via video conference)

Next Meeting: May 9, 2012

I.Call Meeting to Order (Mike Stayner)

Mike Stayner called the meeting to order. Introductions were made and a special welcome to Ross Edmunds, Division Administrator. Ross provided information regarding his background in the mental health field. Minutes from the March meeting were approved later in the meeting.

II.Discussion

Video Conference(Ross Edmunds)

A handout, “Transforming Idaho’s Behavioral Health System,” was distributed. This is a systematic approach to mental healthand substance use disorder treatment. Previous efforts in these areas have resulted in a “revolving door”, in whichtransformationhas been stuck between reviewing and making recommendations regarding treatment. Ross reported that the group, the Behavioral Health Interagency Cooperative, has been formed, replacing the Behavioral Health Transformation Work Group and is a good blend of individuals who are working toward defining potential solutions to system deficiencies. Regions 2 and 7 have been selected to pilot the Cooperative’s recommendations, once their ideas for implementation have been approved. The proposed legislation that will describe the transformed System of Care will be introduced during the 2013 legislative session.

At present Medicaid spends approximately $150 million annually for mental health services for the State of Idaho. When Medicaid goes to managed care,a capitated system will be implemented,which will result in the award of a contract for the establishment of a network of providers who will manage the mental health care needs in our state within the appropriated budget. There will be a cap on the amount of profit they can make. Presently there are 250,000 individuals on Medicaid, mostly children. An adult male can’t get Medicare unless he has a disability. In the future, all people we serve should have access to substance abuse treatment, not just IV drug users or pregnant women.At present, state employees are not able to provide substance abuse treatment.

Local communities will be the foundation for the development and arranging of support systems for the behavioral health system. Ross would like to see every community in the state begin this transformation.There are 35 states that use a managed care approach to mental health. The Cooperative is looking at all state models and determined there is not a structure in place in any other state that will create the type of community that is envisioned for our state. The recommendation is for $1.6 million to be used on substance abuse prevention by the Regional Behavioral Health Community Development Boards. These Boards will be created to include the RMHB and RAC members, along with community members. Distribution of Regional funding will continue according to the formula that was created a couple of years ago and the new RBHCD Boards will oversee expenditures. Also, it is recommended that the communities determine the use of those resources based on the premise that the best intervention is a community intervention. Ross is looking for seed money to allow the RMHB and RACs to hire staff to carry out additional responsibilities.

Ross would like to meet with the RMHB again in person, if possible to discuss the next layers. He would like the Board to review the handout, a concept paper of what they are hoping to achieve,that was distributed to members and give him feedback (). He also stressed the need for Idaho data and is very optimistic about substance abuse treatment in the future.

Adult and Children’s Mental Health (Ritchie Weers)

  • Copies of the monthly statistical report were distributed. Due to the lateness of the meeting, there was little discussion. The numbers are staying pretty consistent.
  • Ritchie explained a law that was passed recently that will increase court ordered 19-2524 responsibilities. If an individual pleads guilty to, or is convicted of a felony, he/she will be screened for mental health and substance abuse issues. A pre-sentence investigator will refer individuals for either a substance abuse or mental health assessment, if this is indicated by the screening. There were 270 felony convictions in this Region/District last year. This will be piloted for 3 months to monitor the impact and then additional resources may be allocated. When the bill was presented, it was reported that there would be no fiscal impact. As the Region focuses more on the court ordered assessments, voluntary treatment may be furtherimpacted.
  • There were no changes to report from this past month with CMH.

III.Membership

No items to discuss at this time.

IV.New Business

The next meeting will include RAC members. Barry will email Sue a count for the meal.

Meeting adjourned at 7:22p.m. The next meeting will be held May 9, 2012, at the HumanDevelopmentCenter.

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